Beauty brands have been waiting for this sunscreen moment
When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved bemotrizinol (BEMT) as a sunscreen filter on June 9, the entire Ultra Violette office in Melbourne, Australia, erupted screaming. Stateside, the La Roche-Posay group chat exploded with messages and memes, including that Friends GIF of Rachel and Phoebe jumping for joy. To the average shopper, this may not seem like a big deal, but for skincare…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of bemotrizinol (BEMT) as a sunscreen filter on June 9 sent shockwaves through the skincare industry. Ultra Violette, an Australian company, expressed excitement, with founder Ava Chandler-Matthews calling it a "door crack to what could be" for the U.S. sunscreen market. This approval marks the first time the FDA has approved a sunscreen filter in 27 years.
BEMT, a broad-spectrum chemical filter, is easier to formulate with than traditional filters and can create lighter sunscreens without a white cast or heavy residue. It has been eagerly awaited by skincare companies hoping to offer high protection in an ultralight, invisible formula. The ingredient’s efficient use at lower concentrations also reduces the chemical load in sunscreen formulations.
DSM-Firmenich, a Swiss-Dutch company, is the exclusive BEMT supplier for the U.S. market for 18 months, following which other manufacturers can supply the raw ingredient.
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